Pearl River swells could cause minor flooding

12:41 PM,
May 6, 2013

This photo taken Friday, May 3, shows downtown Jackson's skyline through a steady rain as the Pearl River slowly floods its banks. The river is expected to crest at 30.5 feet Tuesday afternoon, causing several creeks in the Jackson area to backup.

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Metro-area motorists crossing one of the Pearl River bridges may be alarmed to see the expanding river creep closer to the pavement. Yet, it's unlikely the roadways could flood even though the Pearl River stage is expected to climb through Tuesday afternoon, said David Cox, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Currently, the Pearl River stage is at 29.4 feet, more than a foot over flood stage, said Cox. "There is the potential for flooding in farmland near southern ...